It was a big day for one Colorado Avalanche defenceman. News emerged on Wednesday that Cale Makar has won the second Norris Trophy in his career. Makar was surprised with the honour at a golf outing in his hometown of Calgary, Alberta.
Cale Makar has won his second career Norris Trophy!
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Cale Makar Wins Second Norris Trophy
Makar put together another great season with the Avalanche. The 26-year-old blueliner registered 30 goals and 62 assists for 92 points in 80 games this season. He became the ninth NHL defenceman to score 30 goals in a single season. Makar is the first defender to achieve the feat since Mike Green did it with the Washington Capitals in 2008-09. Green racked up 31 goals in that campaign.
Makar averaged ice time of 25 minutes, 43 seconds per game. He collected career-highs in power-play goals (12), shorthanded goals (two) and shots on goal (246) this season. Colorado placed third in the Central Division, but fell in the the first round of the post-season to the Dallas Stars in seven games.
This is the second time that the former University of Massachusetts product has won the Norris Trophy. Makar won the award in 2021-22 season and has been one in the top of the voting for a number of seasons. He also won the Hobey Baker Award for college hockey’s top player in 2019 and won a gold medal at the 2018 IIHF World Juniors for his native Canada.
What It Means
Makar beat out Quinn Hughes of the Vancouver Canucks and Zach Werenski of the Columbus Blue Jackets for the Norris. The other two finalists also put together great seasons, but Makar was the clear-cut winner. Colorado’s standout blueliner totaled 176 first-place votes while Werenski got 13. Hughes was the only other defender to get first-place votes with two. The Avalanche may have fallen short of expectations, but Makar did his part in getting his team to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Makar is one of the top players in the world and this award solidifies that.
Main photo by: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
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